The oceanic carbon cycle. (PMEL Carbon Group, NOAA.)
Instructor(s)
Prof. Daniel Repeta
Prof. Timothy Eglinton
MIT Course Number
12.746
As Taught In
Spring 2005
Level
Graduate
Course Description
Course Features
Course Description
This class is designed to provide the student with a global to molecular-level perspective of organic matter cycling in the oceans and marine sediments. Topics include: Organic matter (C,N,P) composition, reactivity and budgets within, and fluxes through, major ocean reservoirs; microbial recycling pathways for organic matter; models of organic matter degradation and preservation; role of anoxia in organic matter burial; relationships between dissolved and particulate (sinking and suspended) organic matter; methods for characterization of sedimentary organic matter; and application of biological markers as tools in oceanography. Both structural and isotopic aspects are covered.